Italy, France and Germany are all thinking about national service again. Why shouldn't Britain?

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It could provide a cure for division and identity politics, but discussing it is still taboo

Last week, the cafe where I usually take my morning coffee bade farewell to one of its waiters – an industrious young guy who was returning to his native Greece. I hope you are not fleeing Brexit Britain, I ventured. “Not at all,” he said. “I am going back to do my military service, as I must.”

I was obviously vaguely aware that they still have conscription in Greece – one of six European countries that maintain compulsory military service – but it was nevertheless still something of an eye-opener. It seemed strangely out of kilter with the licence of the times that this man had no choice in the matter...